Euro Coins

There are 8 Euro coins denominated in 2 and 1 Euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Every Euro coin will carry a common European face. On the obverse, each Member State will decorate the coins with their own motifs. No matter which motif is on the coins they can be used anywhere inside the 11 Member States. For example, a French visitor will be able to buy a sausage in Berlin using a Euro coin carrying the imprint of the King of Spain. The common European face of the coins represents a map of the European Union against a background of transverse lines to which are attached the stars of the European flag. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins put emphasis on Europe's place in the world while the 10, 20 and 50 present the Union as a gathering of nations. The 1 and 2 Euro coins depict Europe without frontiers. Final designs were agreed upon at the European Council meeting in Amsterdam in June 1997.

Euro Coin in Ireland

The Government in Ireland decided on a single national design for all Irish coin denominations. They show the Celtic harp, a traditional symbol of Ireland, decorated with the year of issue and the word "Eire" - the Irish word for Ireland. The harp shown was designed by Jarlath Hayes

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